Moscow's spires over the centuries. Church of Ascension at Kolomenskoe (left), main building Moscow State University (center), and two of the Kremlin towers (right)

KU Russian students perform the skit "The Turnip."

A Demon in conversation with a personified Hell. This illustration comes from a Russian 18th century, hand-painted manuscript housed in KU's Spencer Research Library

KU Polish Club hosts and Evening of Wislawa Szymborska's Poetry

Former KU student Conrad Hoffman brought this carved Bolshevik Jayhawk back to KU in 1921

Welcome! Добро пожаловать! Witamy! Dobro došli!

The department offers a full array of language, culture, literature, and linguistics courses for students interested in Russian, Polish, Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian, Ukrainian and Turkish. We also occasionally offers courses and independent study in Slovene, Czech, Yiddish and other East European languages and literatures. In addition to BA degree programs and select study abroad programs, the department offers graduate training at the Masters and Doctoral levels in Slavic linguistics and literary study. Prospective graduate students should take a look at this page that summarizes our department's strengths.

If you are just starting at KU and wondering if you should take a course in the Slavic department or if you are wondering where a degree in Russian and East European languages might take your life, visit our success stories page to see how students from previous years are using their skills in the real world. The department provides an uncommonly supportive and congenial atmosphere for students at all levels to pursue programs of study that fit their individual needs.

The department, by itself and in conjunction with the Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies (CREES), offers an array of Slavic-related events throughout the year, including visiting distinguished lecturers, exhibits, and musical and theatrical performances.